Railcard Photo

How does it work?

Perfect biometric photo within 3 minutes.

Check how simple and smart is it!

Take or upload a photo

That's the only thing you need to do. Take or upload a photo - we will take care of the rest.

AI prepares the photo

Artificial Intelligence will check your photo, crop it to the right size and remove the background.

Expert verification

Our Photo Expert will make additional verification to check if your photo meets the official requirements.

Digital or printed photos

You can download a digital version and order a printout which we will send within 2-3 days. Delivery is free!

Why?

Take a biometric photo conveniently without leaving home

You save time and money

Convenience

Don't waste time, effort or money. You can take your passport photo without leaving home.

Professional service

Over 1 million people have used our services within the past 11 years. Our Photo Experts are available 24/7.

Money-back guarantee

We give you a guarantee of acceptance by authorities or otherwise we will refund you double the price!

Satisfaction guarantee

Take as many photo shots as you want - you pay only when you are satisfied.

How to take a photo?

Taking a photo for your ID has never been so easy.

Follow simple instruction to take a perfect ID photo.

Body-camera distance

The distance between the face and the camera should be about 40 cm. Ideally the photo should be taken by the other person.

Posture: Straight ahead

Place your face in front of the lens. Hold the camera at eye level and keep neutral face expression.

Lighting

Stand facing the light source, for example an exposed window. The background will be cut out, don't worry about it.

Railcard Photo - Size & Requirements

Size

Width: 35 mm

Height: 45 mm

Resolution

600 dpi

Is it suitable for online submission?

Yes

Image definition parameters

Head height: 34.5 mm

Top of the Photo to Top of the Hair: 3 mm

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More about Railcard Photo - Requirements

Railcard photo guidelines

Looking for a guide to the requirements your Railcard photograph needs to meet? Then, look no further!

With the wide range of Railcards available, you are guaranteed to find one that suits you! All you need to do is submit an online application, attaching a passport-style photo. However, the rail services will reject photos that don’t meet their specifications, requiring you to repeat the application process. To avoid wasting time and money, make sure you read our guide and FAQs, which demystify the Railcard photo rules, allowing you to make more suitable images first time.

Railcard photo requirements

The easiest way to order your new Railcard, or to renew one that has expired, is to buy online. You will need the following documents:

a current UK passport or driving licence, which verifies your identity
a digital passport-style photo
a debit or credit card

You will receive guidance online on how to upload a suitable image for your Railcard.

Your Railcard photograph must meet certain requirements regarding size, composition, colours and background. You can have it taken in a professional photo studio, but we offer a way that takes less time and is cheaper: Passport Photo Online’s Railcard photo tool. All you need to do is to take a suitable image, with our guidance, and we will adjust the background, crop and resize the photograph and, finally, ensure it meets all the specifications.

Digital Railcard UK photo size

Whether you need a 26-30 Railcard photo, 16-25 Railcard photo or a photo for any other form of Railcard, the requirements are the same in terms of size and other key details.

If you intend to buy online, you must provide a digital picture, meeting the following Railcard photo resolution and size requirements:

600 x 750 pixels
Between 50KB and 10MB in size

When applying for a Railcard at a staffed station ticket office, it's important to bring a 45 x 35mm biometric photograph that meets the same requirements as those needed for a passport or driving licence photo. This ensures that your Railcard photo is suitable for official use and meets all the necessary specifications.

Railcard photograph rules

A suitable image, digital or paper, must:

show your full head and upper shoulders
be taken against a light-coloured (preferably white, cream or grey) background
be clear and in focus
represent the natural colour of your skin and eyes

Whilst the rail services prefer colour pictures, they will accept black and white images.

Compositional rules for a Railcard photo

The image of your head - measured from your chin to your crown - must be sized between 29 mm and 34 mm in height. You must be facing forwards, looking straight at the camera lens. Your head must not be tilted.

Lighting and background for a Railcard photo

Dark coloured backgrounds are not acceptable. It must be a neutral colour: such as white, cream or light grey. If you are unable to find a suitable background for your picture, don’t panic. Simply use our online photo editor, which can remove the wrong background and change it into a more suitable one.

Remember that the light on your face must be even, with no shadows, either on your face or behind your head. Ideally, you should use natural light.

Face expression in the Railcard photo

Keep a neutral expression, with a closed mouth, and ensure your eyes are open. Look straight at the camera. The rail services will allow makeup, but will not accept images that have been doctored through Photoshop or similar.

Eyeglasses in the Railcard photo

You are not allowed to wear tinted glasses, e.g. sunglasses while taking your Railcard photo. You are allowed to wear prescription glasses if you need to, but your eyes must be visible. The authorities will automatically reject photos with glare or reflections. If you wear glasses, the frames cannot be too large, in case they cover or obscure your eyes.

Hairstyle and head coverings in your Railcard photo

You can keep your normal hairstyle, as long as your hair doesn’t cover your face, particularly your eyes. Do not wear any form of head covering, unless it is for religious or medical reasons.

Rules for Railcard printed photos

If you plan to print your own Railcard photograph, you must ensure it is printed to a high standard, on plain, white, borderless photo paper. It shouldn’t be retouched by software such as Photoshop, but you can adjust it with a railcard photo tool.

Last update: 03/06/2023

About the document

What exactly is a Railcard?

A Railcard is a discount card which offers you reduced train fares, coming either in a digital or plastic form. There are numerous types of railcards that allow you to travel by rail at a reduced rate.

How big a discount can I get with a Railcard?

Generally, you can get at least 30% off the price of an adult fare. Some Railcards can only cover one person, whereas others can accommodate people travelling with you, allowing even bigger savings! If you purchase, for example, the Family & Friends Railcard and Network Railcard, you can take a trip in a group, and pay up to 60% less for children travelling with you.

Types of Railcards

There are 9 types of Railcard:

16-17 Saver
16-25 Railcard
26-30 Railcard
Disabled Persons Railcard
Family & Friends Railcard
Network Railcard
Senior Railcard
Two Together Railcard
Veterans Railcard

Railcard online application

The fastest and simplest way to get your Railcard is applying online. To do so, you’ll only need three things:

a valid ID document (for example, a passport or driving licence)
a digital passport-style photo
a debit or credit card

When it's ready, your railcard will be sent to you, free of charge, by UK Mail (which takes approx. 5 days) or - if you want it faster - by Special Delivery.

Buying a Railcard at the ticket office

If you do not wish to buy online, you can opt to come into any staffed station ticket office in the Network Railcard area. These stations have all the forms you need to fill out. All you need is a passport-style photo and a pen and you can start benefiting from your discounted fares!

How to use my Railcard?

You can use your Railcard when you buy tickets for your journeys within the Network Railcard area. It’s easy and it really works! There aren’t any limits on how often you use your Railcard, so your savings can be enormous! With your Railcard, you can save 1/3 on your train fares. On average, the cost of your Railcard will have paid for itself after one or two trips, making it great value!

Right now, over 20 million people in Great Britain are Railcard-holders. You can travel often and save a lot, what could be better?

Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

What photo will I need for a Railcard?

For your Railcard application, whether you choose an online or a paper one, you will need to take a passport-style photo of yourself. No other people or objects must be visible in it and it cannot be cropped from a larger picture.

How do I upload a photo for a Railcard application?

You can upload your prepared photo file onto the official Railcard site. Remember that it must meet the specific requirements for passport-style photos. If you want to guarantee that your photo will meet the regulations, simply use our Railcard photo app, which can remove any unsuitable backgrounds, and will also resize your photo.

What differences are there between a physical 16-25 Railcard and a digital version?

If you order a digital Railcard, you'll be sent a special code, which you can enter into the Railcard app to upload a digital card onto your phone.

A Physical Railcard is a plastic card, which is sent to you free of charge. In order to benefit from discounts, you’ll need to carry your card with you.

Are you allowed to wear glasses in your Railcard photo?

You are only allowed to wear your prescription glasses on the condition that they do not create glare or reflection as your eyes must be visible in the picture. Sunglasses or other tinted glasses are not allowed in the photo.

Will you need to provide a photo when applying for for a Senior Railcard?

No. No photo will be required for a Senior Railcard.

Will I need to get a photo when applying for the Family and Friends Railcard?

No. You will not need to provide a photo to apply for a Family and Friends Railcard.

What are Two Together Railcard photo requirements?

The photo for a Two Together Railcard needs to be a recognizable likeness of you. It must also be in sharp focus, not overexposed or underexposed. Black and white images will be acceptable, although they tend to prefer colour pictures. Your head and shoulders must be in the centre of the frame, with your face clearly visible and filling approximately 70% of the space in the image. Your face cannot be obscured by your hair and you cannot wear headwear that isn’t religious or medical in nature.

How long will it take for my Railcard to be delivered?

It depends on which delivery option you used. If you bought your Railcard online, it will be sent free by UK Mail. It will take around 5 working days for your Railcard to be delivered. If you have chosen to pay an extra fee for the Special Delivery option, your Railcard can be delivered in as little as 2 days (Monday to Thursday) or 3 days (Friday to Sunday).

Can you change a photo on Railcard?

You can change Railcard photos, especially if your appearance has altered significantly. The photo requirements are the same and incorrectly taken pictures will be rejected. If you want to update your Railcard photo, take a new one and check it quickly through our online photo service.

Can I benefit from discounted tickets before I get my Railcard?

Unfortunately, you need a valid Railcard to be able to benefit. However, they will add an extra week of validity to account for delivery time.

Will you need to take a photo for a disabled railcard?

Yes, you will need to provide a suitable image for your disabled railcard when you apply.

Can you smile on a railcard photo?

Your expression needs to remain neutral in your photo. Your photo may be rejected if you smile.

What are the railcard photo dimensions?

When providing a digital Railcard photograph, it needs to be 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall. Your image files need to be at least 50KB and no more than 10MB in size. Physical images need to be 4.5cm x 3.5cm in size.